- By Shibra Siddiqui
- Fri, 04 Apr 2025 12:07 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a massive loss of face to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala, the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs has approved prosecution proceedings against the CM’s daughter, T Veena Vijayan in connection with an alleged corruption case involving illegal payments from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL).
The Serious Fraud Investigation Officer (SFIO) received the sanction for proceeding on Friday. SFIO had submitted the charge sheet to the Special Court for Economic Offences in Kochi.
The SFIO investigation has found that Veena’s company, Exalogic Solutions, and CMRL had entered an agreement under which a payment of Rs 2.73 crore was made to Exalogic. However, no service was rendered in return, leading the payment to be declared as fraudulent and unjustified by the SFIO. The investigation found that Exalogic received monthly payments from the CMRL without providing any work or service in return. The SFIO has named Veena as an accused in its Charge Sheet
The case first came to light in August 2023, when it was reported that Exalogic had received Rs 1.75 from CMRL between 2017-2020 without providing any service. The centre had directed a detailed investigation against the company.
Veena, CMRL Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha, and 25 others have been named as accused in SFIO’s 160-page charge sheet. Several companies, including CMRL, Exalogic Solutions, and its subsidiary Empower India Capital Investments, were also listed. The agency concluded that Veena had misused funds from the subsidiary firm.
The SFIO discovered that Veena’s company had received Rs 2.70 crore in total from CMRL. Separately, the Income Tax Interim Settlement Board reported in 2023 that Rs 1.72 crore had been paid, based on depositions from CMRL staff.
Opposition Demands CM's Resignation
Opposition Leader VD Satheesan reacted strongly to the developments, stating, “The Serious Fraud Investigation Office's inclusion of the Chief Minister's daughter Veena Vijayan as an accused in the case is an extremely serious matter. The Serious Fraud Investigation Office charge sheet confirms the allegation that she received remuneration without providing any service. The Chief Minister's daughter committed an offence punishable by up to ten years in prison."
He further said, “Veena Vijayan's company received 2.7 crore rupees only as the Chief Minister's daughter without providing any service. In this situation, the Chief Minister should take moral responsibility for the corruption and resign. It is not appropriate for Pinarayi Vijayan to continue as the Chief Minister even for a moment. How can he justify his daughter facing prosecution while sitting in the Chief Minister's position."